Recently I have found myself being drawn more towards the content of the comments of an online article than to the article itself. This is based purely on the time spent reading the article compared to scrolling through the myriad comments following almost all publications. I find myself drawn to the brashness of the comments either in support or against any article. There are several things that I find very entertaining about the comments, namely;
1. The inability of a so many users to make coherent arguments purely due to grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.
2. The constant use of name-calling and insult to feel as if one has gained footing in an argument.
3. Faulty logic, ad hominem and straw-man logic used to strengthen an argument.
The following sketch, exemplifies much of the arguing presently going on throughout the internet. After about 4 minutes it looses focus, but still funny.
Unfortunately, all three of the aforementioned points greatly detract from the strength of ones argument. In a formal argument one would be expected to maintain composure and avoid use of any of these, but the internet is by no means the formal argument arena. In fact, comments have become so informal that the use of these logical fallacies and laziness has become acceptable and becomes the basis of the majority of disputes. It makes for a very unproductive use of time having the argument, as well as reading and following others' threads. The amount of profane language and name calling is so overwhelming that it looses all power and necessity. It is as if one expects a greater reaction just by adding in a few expletives. That, or the average user of the internet really has no other way of expressing themselves.
Is this really the case in the non-digital world? Is this how we would talk to other people if we had a disagreement in a grocery store? Essentially that is what this equates to. Most commenters do not know the author of an article personally, and are only commenting because they "overheard" the opinions of the author through some long string of clicks originating from another site, or more likely, Facebook. If I overheard someone talking to their family and friends while waiting in line at the store, whom I whole heartedly disagreed with, would I string a line of slurs and expletives together to "destroy" them? NO! I am fairly certain that 95% of the people commenting also wouldn't react that way. In fact most would not say anything at all.
What is this empowerment that people receive when commenting on the internet? Anonymity. Most people don't have to take responsibility for their comments because they will never meet the people they are berating, and even if someone responds as angrily they can just not visit that page. Does this help us, or hinder us? One may argue that it allows people to "vent their steam," and get how they really feel out. But is that how someone really feels? My opinion of someone whom I have never met and disagree with on at least this one topic is they are a F*&#!@* IDIOT! So now to be healthy we need to revert back to juvenile tendencies and throw a tantrum? What happened to using our words? What happened to keeping our composure?
Do most people believe that anyone with a differing opinion hates me and my opinion, therefore I must hate them and theirs in return? That is what it seems like. If I disagree with you, and think you are wrong some how that also means that you are a bad person, and your other ideas/opinions/practices are equally wrong and bad? Why does my respect for someone else have to be dragged into our argument? Just by having an argument (granted the word has a bad connotation that accompanies it) does not mean I am mad. I may get passionate about subjects, but that passion means that it is important to me. Someone who swears and curses, calling others names is putting up a facade of passion. They want others to see how passionate they are by their rapid flailing arms and loud noises, but it all accounts for nothing.
The internet is an amazing tool that we can use to connect, broaden, and expand our knowledge, understanding, and influence to the entire world. In order to keep it a precision tool we to must fine tune our language, demeanor and ideologies. We must be open to the possibility that we might not have all the cards. That through meaningful communication we can not only gain understanding, but become a conduit for someone else. Isn't that what the purpose of the world wide web is?
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